National Day of Prayer and Quotes from George Washington

Quotes from General George Washington

“How to get furnished I know not…. The reflection on my situation, and that of this army, produces many an uneasy hour when all around me are wrapped in sleep…. If I shall be able to rise superior to these and many other difficulties, which might be enumerated, I shall most religiously believe, that the finger of Providence is in it, to blind the eyes of our enemies; for surely if we get will through this month, it must be for want of their knowing the disadvantage we labor under….”

“In a word, I believe I may with truth add, that I do not think that any officer since the creation ever had such a variety of difficulties and perplexities to encounter as I have….. Providence has heretofore saved us in a remarkable manner, and on this we must principally rely….”

“We expect a very bloody Summer of it at New York and Canada, as it is there I expect the grand efforts of the Enemy will be aim’d; and I am sorry to say that we are not, either in Men, or Arms, prepared for it; however, it is to be hoped, that if our cause is just, as I do most religiously believe it to be, the same Providence which has in many Instances appear’d for us, will still go on to afford its aid…”

“…. The Honorable the Congress having recommended it to the United States to set apart Thursday the 6th of May next to be observed as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, to acknowledge the gracious interpositions of Providence; to deprecate [to pray or intreat that a present evil may be removed] deserved punishment for our Sins and Ingratitiude, to unitedly implore the Protection of Heaven; Success to our Arms and the Arms of our Ally: The Commander in Chief enjoins a religious observance of said day and directs the Chaplains to prepare discourses proper for the occasion; strictly forbiding all recreations and unnecessary labor.”

“…..we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord,.…so the next generation might know them even the children not yet born-           and they in turn will teach their own children.  So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious  miracles and obeying his commands.”
Psalm 78: 4, 6–7